2012 Kia Rio Sedan

Solid subcompact with some flair.

It's difficult not to pay attention to Kia these days. The fastest growing brand in 2011 not only is turning heads with stylish design, it is keeping up the momentum by rolling out value-driven—and good-looking—models like the Kia Rio sedan. Fitted with a 138-bhp, 1.6-liter direct-injection 4-cylinder engine mated to either a 6-speed manual or automatic, the Rio has impressive EPA ratings of 30 mpg city/40 mpg highway. The Rio cruises effortlessly with minimal road or wind noise. The car's front MacPherson strut and rear torsion beam suspension handles normal road duties with competent grip. Opt for the sportier SX trim and you'll get thicker anti-roll bars to keep the car steadier through turns. Inside the cabin, the Rio sedan features a clean instrument panel where all the knobs and buttons are within easy reach.

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2012 Kia Rio Sedan

To break out of the "boring" mold usually associated with subcompacts, Kia allowed us a few laps in the Rio B-Spec race car. The folks at Kinetic Motorsports are offering a $14,000 kit to transform the road-going Kia 5-door into a proper road racing machine. Running at a track outside of Orlando, Florida, the B-Spec offered good power and excellent handling—somewhat of a surprise from a front-driver. The B-Spec race series enables car enthusiasts to go racing with street-legal vehicles at minimal cost.

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2012 Kia Rio Sedan

Not in the racing mood? The 2012 Kia Rio sedan is a great buy for those looking for a solid and spacious little runabout. There are three levels currently available: LX, EX and SX. Pricing for this new sedan starts at $13,400.